Issue #30 -- February 4, 1999
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Reader Rants & Raves
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Thanks to S.C. for taking the time to share the following cautionary tale.
"Last fall after the Northwest pilot's strike, NWA offered 2,000 bonus miles for website bookings before October 15 and 1,000 bonus miles for website bookings before December 31. Miles to be awarded 4-6 weeks after the actual flight.
"I booked two flights before the October 15 deadline which qualified for 2,000 bonus miles, but I received only 1,000 miles when the miles were finally awarded.
"A telephone call to WorldPerks recovered the extra 1,000 miles per flight.
"However, that led me to wonder if NWA isn't trying to cheat many others out of their extra bonus miles."
Editor's note: If you were entitled to Northwest miles for inconvenience caused by the pilots' strike, (a) be sure you receive them, and (b) be sure you got all you were entitled to.
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Starwood's Preferred Guest Debuts
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Starwood Hotels on Wednesday debuted its frequency program, Starwood Preferred Guest. The new program replaces both Sheraton Club International and Westin Premier and covers stays at over 550 hotels in more than 60 countries, including Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis/Luxury Collection, Four Points Hotels by Sheraton, Caesars World and W Hotels.
Preferred Guest features no blackout dates and no point expiration dates for active members, plus instant rewards and on-line award redemption. Starwood claims the new program also offers "the fastest way to a free night and the easiest way to a free flight."
Key benefits of Preferred Guest include:
-- A new currency. Members earn Starpoints, which can be used for free stays, free flights, merchandise, vacation packages, hotel dining, etc. For active members, Starpoints do not expire.
-- No blackout dates. Starwood Preferred Guest claims to be the first upscale/luxury hotel reward program to do away with blackout dates entirely at all 550 participating properties, allowing members to redeem where they want and when they want.
-- Instant Awards. Preferred Guest lets members use Starpoints instantaneously for hotel services, such as room upgrades, breakfast in bed, room service, in-room movies and more -- all at a moment's notice.
-- Online redemption. Via "www.preferredguest.com," members can instantly redeem points on-line, track account information and access Starwood Preferred Guest special offers.
-- Airline mile conversion. Preferred Guest offers members an exchange rate of one Starpoint to one airline mile/point with most major airline carriers; low threshold transfer levels; transfers in any increment (whether it's 2,001; 4,693; or 50,781); as well as an unlimited number of transfers within each membership year. Plus, every time a member transfers 20,000 Starpoints earned in the program to an airline, they receive an additional 5,000 airline miles/points (equivalent based on conversion rate) as a bonus.
-- Merchandise Awards. Members can use Starpoints to purchase gift certificates at high-end merchandising partners including AT&T, Franklin Covey, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lands' End, The Sharper Image and others.
Preferred Guest offers members three distinct levels of participation: Preferred Guest includes a complete membership profile; preferred check-in; instant awards; and Starpoints, earned at a rate of two points for every eligible U.S. dollar spent. After 10 stays, within one year, members reach Gold Preferred status. This level features all the benefits of Preferred Guest, plus an earning rate of three Starpoints per eligible U.S. dollar spent (a 50% bonus); instant room upgrades when available; 4:00 p.m. late check-out; weekday newspaper; and exclusive events for members. For Starwood's most loyal guests -- those with more than 25 stays in a year -- Starwood Preferred Guest members will enjoy a Platinum Preferred standing. Platinum Preferred features all the benefits of Preferred and Gold memberships, plus automatic Specialty or Specialty Select room upgrades when available; guaranteed preferred room availability when booked at least 72 hours in advance; welcome amenity and more.
All active members of Westin Premier and Sheraton Club International are automatically enrolled in Starwood Preferred Guest at a level consistent with their current status in their respective programs. SCI ClubMiles will be converted on a 1:1 basis into Starpoints. Westin Premier points will be converted on a 5:1 ratio, giving members the equivalent number of points in this new program that offers greater buying power. Starwood Preferred Guest members will receive their new cards in the next few weeks, but in the meantime may continue to use their existing membership cards at all participating hotels.
>> So...?
No blackout dates, non-expiring points, instant awards, conversion to miles in many airline programs... sure looks good on paper. If the execution lives up to the promise, Preferred Guest will be a worthy competitor to Hilton's HHonors and Marriott Rewards programs.
>> More <<
Starwood Preferred Guest program online
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Amex Bonus, New Membership Rewards Partners
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American Express has rolled out a new nationwide promotion giving double points for charges at supermarkets and drug stores from February 1st through April 30th to eligible American Express Cardmembers. The promotion is open to cardmembers who have cards enrolled in the Membership Rewards Program, or who have the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card, the American Express Golf Card, the Hilton Optima Card, the New York Knicks Card or the New York Rangers Card.
Supermarkets and drug stores nationwide, as well as several online stores such as Peapod, Netgrocer and mybasics, that accept the American Express Card, are participating in the promotion. U.S. cardmembers enrolled in the Membership Rewards program or who have one of the cards listed above, will be awarded double points for their purchases.
>> New Membership Rewards Partners
American Express is also announcing the addition of several new partners to Membership Rewards. The new Membership Rewards partners are: Borders Books & Music, Champs Sports, Coach, Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, The NBA Store, Royal Doulton, Samsonite Company Stores, The Sharper Image, Zany Brainy and Avis and Cathay Pacific Airways in the travel
>> The Verdict
Membership Rewards has some laudable features, notably the flexibility of points-to-miles conversion and the extra value represented by non-expiring points. The new partners are all to the good. And double points are never to be quibbled with. Where Amex remains weak is in the area of airline partners. Of the top three U.S. carriers, you can convert Amex points only into Delta miles... not American or United miles. If it were MY program, I would make it a priority to remedy those two omissions post haste. As things stand, I'd have to recommend Diners Club Rewards over the Amex program.
As somebody (should have) said: It's the airlines, stupid!
>> More <<
Amex online
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Southwest Encourages Charitable Giving
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The "Luv Airline" is kicking off "Love Month" by making it easy for frequent flyers to give something back to their communities. The "Give Your Heart Wings" program lets Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards members donate valid unused award tickets to Southwest Airlines for distribution to nonprofit organizations in their communities.
Members can donate their unused award tickets, which must be valid for at least three months from the date of donation, by calling the local marketing office of Southwest Airlines. Southwest marketing employees in that office will review their list of charities to match the donation with a charity that has a need within the time left on the ticket. Southwest Airlines will be solely responsible for choosing the charity that will receive the ticket.
This is a good first step on Southwest's part. Next step: a matching program, where Southwest supplements the donor's gift with additional miles or tickets, as several of the other airlines do with their miles-for-charity programs.
>> More <<
Southwest online
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TWA Upgrades... No Limits?
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TWA will reward Elite and Elite 1 members of its Aviators program with unlimited domestic upgrades beginning March 1, 1999. Platinum level members have had this privilege since the program was introduced.
The new policy eliminates the need for Elite and Elite 1 members to earn, purchase, or carry upgrade certificates, although they will still need to call to request their upgrades in advance according to their privilege card status and the type of fare they have purchased.
>> So...?
Unlimited upgrades is like all you can eat: it's great, as long as there's enough to go around. If TWA can deliver on the implied promise... that upgrades will actually be available much of the time... they will have truly added value to the Aviators program, at least for Elite members.
>> MORE <<
TWA Online
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TWA Miles for Hertz Rentals
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Hertz has joined the TWA Aviators frequent flyer program. And to promote the tie-up, Aviators members earn triple miles with each Hertz rental, now through April 30, 1999.
Members of the Aviators program are eligible to earn one mile per dollar spent on all qualifying commercial contract and government rentals and two miles per dollar spent on all other qualifying rentals. To earn miles, rentals must take place at a participating location worldwide within 24 hours before or after a TWA or TWA partner airline flight.
Hertz' triple miles promotion offers Aviators members three miles per dollar spent on all qualifying commercial contract and government rentals and six miles per dollar spent on all other qualifying rentals. To receive triple miles, Promotion Code (PC#): 900211 must be mentioned at time of reservation. The triple miles are available on all car class rentals and at all participating airport locations worldwide. Blackout dates may apply.
A current airline ticket, boarding pass or ticket receipt must be presented at time of pickup along with an Aviators membership card. All standard rental qualifications apply.
>> More <<
Hertz
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Air France Discounts Europe
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The French national carrier this week announced spring sale fares to more than 30 European cities from the airline's 11 U.S. gateways.
Air France spring fares must be ticketed no later than February 12, 1999 for departures between April 1 -- May 31, 1999. All travel must be completed by June 15, 1999. Fares require midweek (Monday-Thursday) departures from New York/JFK and New York/Newark as well as Boston, Washington DC, Atlanta, Miami, Cincinnati, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Saturday night stayover is required and weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) travel is available for an additional $25 each way. Customs and departure taxes are not included and other restrictions may apply. Members of Air France Frequence Plus, Continental Airlines' OnePass or Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles frequent flyer programs will accrue mileage with this promotion.
Sample Air France Spring Sale fares:
From New York JFK/Newark to:
Paris - $328
Nice - $378
Rome $418
Madrid $398
Amsterdam $378
Venice $418
Frankfurt $378
From Boston to:
Paris - $328
Nice - $378
Rome $428
Madrid $408
Amsterdam $378
Venice $428
Frankfurt $378
From Washington DC/Dulles to:
Paris - $318
Nice - $368
Rome $468
Madrid $398
Amsterdam $368
Venice $468
Frankfurt $368
From Miami to:
Paris - $388
Nice - $438
Rome $448
Madrid $458
Amsterdam $428
Venice $448
Frankfurt $428
From Atlanta to:
Paris - $478
Nice - $528
Rome $498
Madrid $388
Amsterdam $378
Venice $498
Frankfurt $378
From Cincinnati to:
Paris - $388
Nice - $438
Rome $508
Madrid $488
Amsterdam $428
Venice $508
Frankfurt $428
From Chicago/O'Hare to:
Paris - $398
Nice - $448
Rome $448
Madrid $418
Amsterdam $428
Venice $448
Frankfurt $428
From Houston/Intercontinental to:
Paris - $408
Nice - $478
Rome $518
Madrid $498
Amsterdam $428
Venice $518
Frankfurt $428
From: Los Angeles to:
Paris - $498
Nice - $548
Rome $578
Madrid $548
Amsterdam $478
Venice $578
Frankfurt $478
From: San Francisco to:
Paris - $468
Nice - $518
Rome $578
Madrid $548
Amsterdam $478
Venice $578
Frankfurt $478
>> More <<
For additional information or reservations on the spring and winter fare sales contact your travel agent or Air France at 800-AF-PARIS.
The city of light. The city of love. What better time to visit than right now -- February, the month of Valentine's Day?
American Airlines wants everyone to have an inexpensive way to take their Valentine to Paris. Throughout February, the airline is offering fares to Paris for just $219 to $299 round trip, depending on origination city within the United States.
American's "Take Your Love To Paris" fares are available only through American's AA.com website (www.aa.com) and are on sale today through Feb. 12. Here are other fare rules for "Take Your Love To Paris:"
-- 3-day advance purchase required
-- Fares are non-refundable and non-changeable
-- Outbound travel must occur on Wednesdays or Thursdays from Feb. 10 through Feb. 25
-- Return travel is valid on Mondays or Tuesdays through March 2
-- Fares require a Saturday night stay with a seven-day maximum stay
>> More <<
American
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Inflight Humor
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There's all too little to laugh about these days when it comes to travel. Here are some funnies, heard (supposedly) at 32,000 feet. Our thanks to R.B. for passing this along.
Occasionally, airline attendants make an effort to make the in-flight safety > lecture" a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or reported:
> "There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane..."
> "Your seat cushions can be used for floatation, and in the event of an emergency water landing, please take them with our compliments."
> "Smoking in the lavatories is prohibited. Any person caught smoking in the lavatories will be asked to leave the plane immediately."
> Pilot - "Folks, we have reached our cruising altitude now, so I am going to switch the seat belt sign off. Feel free to move about as you wish, but please stay inside the plane till we land... it's a bit cold outside, and if you walk on the wings it affects the flight pattern."
> And, after landing: "Thank you for flying Delta Business Express. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride."
> As we waited just off the runway for another airliner to cross in front of us, some of the passengers were beginning to retrieve luggage from the overhead bins. The head attendant announced on the intercom, "This aircraft is equipped with a video surveillance system that monitors the cabin during taxiing. Any passengers not remaining in their seats until the aircraft comes to a full and complete stop, will at the gate will be strip-searched as they leave the aircraft."
> Once on a Southwest flight, the pilot said, "We've reached our cruising altitude now, and I'm turning off the seat belt sign. I'm switching to autopilot, too, so I can come back there and visit with all of you for the rest of the flight."
> As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Washington National, a lone voice comes over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella..WHOA..!"
> "Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the overhead area. Please place the bag over your own mouth and nose before assisting children or adults acting like children."
> "As you exit the plane, please make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants."
> "Please do not leave children or spouses."
> "Last one off the plane must clean it."
> From the pilot during his welcome message: "We are pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry... Unfortunately none of them are on this flight...!"
> An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers exited, give a smile, and a "Thanks for flying XYZ airline." He said that in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally everyone had gotten off except for this little old lady walking with a cane. She said, "Sonny, mind if I ask you a question?" "Why no Ma'am," said the pilot, "what is it?" The little old lady said, "Did we land or were we shot down?"
> Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas, on a particularly windy and bumpy day. During the final approach the Captain was really having to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant came on the PA and announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your seatbelts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate!"
> Another flight Attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing: "We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."
> After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in Memphis, a flight attendant on a Northwest flight announced: "Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as hell everything has shifted."
> From a Southwest Airlines employee.... "Welcome aboard Southwest Flight XXX to YYY. To operate your seatbelt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seatbelt, and if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public unsupervised.
> In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face.
> If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with two small children, decide now which one you love more.
> Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but they'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Southwest airlines."
If you've heard any good ones lately, send them in... do your part to reduce the grumpy quotient among your frequent-flyer brethren.
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America West Beset by Labor Woes, Again
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Negotiations between America West and its flight attendants are not going well.
"We've been in mediated negotiations all week. We started this round of talks $16.5 million dollars apart, and we're still $16.5 million dollars apart. We're not even close -- we're at impasse," said William McGlashen, President of AFA Council 66. "Contrary to the company's public statements over the past few weeks, we're no closer to a deal now than when we originally asked for a release into a 30-day cooling-off period in November."
Contract negotiations between America West and its flight attendants, members of the Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO, restarted on Monday, January 25, in Washington, DC, under the auspices of the National Mediation Board. As negotiations broke off earlier this week, the flight attendants reiterated their request for a release into a 30-day cooling-off period. The Board has not yet decided whether to start the 30-day countdown.
Under the rules of the Railway Labor Act, the law that governs airline labor negotiations and disputes, if no agreement is reached by the end of the 30-day period, parties are free to engage in self-help. For AFA flight attendants, that means CHAOS (Creating Havoc Around Our System), a strike action that utilizes random, unannounced work stoppages. It could also involve a mass walk-out, leaving the company scrambling to quell the concerns of stranded passengers.
America West flight attendants have been negotiating for a first contract since September 1994. Mediated negotiations began in July 1997. A tentative agreement was reached in October 1997, but was subsequently rejected by 88% of the flight attendants.
>> More <<
The AFA website
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Site Suggestion
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The Sites-2-C section usually highlights travel-related sites we think will be of interest to Crier readers. This week, rather than an entire site we're recommending a particular article. (Thanks to R.A. for bringing this to our attention.)
The site, which we weren't previously familiar with, is the Discovery Channel online. The recommended article, entitled "Sky Jams," explains how the air traffic control system will handle the 40% increase in airline traffic expected over the next 15 years . Somewhat counterintuitively (and alarmingly), the new system, dubbed Free Flight, imposes less rather than more control over individual aircraft, allowing pilots to manage their own flight plans within defined safety parameters.
(Current American Airlines chief Don Carty last week had some less-than-kind words for the FAA (which oversees air traffic control), asserting that while the airlines were continually reinventing themselves in response to changes in technology and the consumer environment, the FAA seemed unwilling or unable to change with the times.)
>> More <<
Discovery Channel Online
Until next week...
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